Two Birds Of Prey

(154 views)
by Bryan Costales

The second of the eight murals illustrated two birds of prey diving down from high in a fictional sky.

Smaller Upper Bird

(142 views)
by Bryan Costales

The smaller and topmost (or perhaps more distant) bird dove with talons extended across the very face of the sun.

Bottom Bird

(138 views)
by Bryan Costales

The bottom of the two birds, the larger of the two, dove with beak open and tongue out. It's talons were about to seize graffiti.

Phoenix

(132 views)
by Bryan Costales

The third mural illustrated a grand and glorious mythical phoenix bird. It flew in spectacular flames.

Burning Skeleton

(122 views)
by Bryan Costales

A burning skeleton was drawn below the phoenix bird, and appeared to be the source of its flames.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

(112 views)
by Terry Costales

This picture was taken late May of this year. This is a very active bird so I was surprised and delighted to see it perch long enough for me to photograph it. The Barn Swallow is the only American swallow that has that deeply forked "swallow-tail".

Band Performed

(108 views)
by Bryan Costales

A band performed on a low stage against the fence facing a shaded clearing.

Bonaparte's Gulls (winter plumage)

(108 views)
by Terry Costales

I generally prefer to photograph individual birds or pairs. But sometimes the flock can prove just as beautiful.

Flaming Bird

(106 views)
by Bryan Costales

The flames of the phoenix bird just before its mythical demise into ash.

Sing Along

(106 views)
by Bryan Costales

A piano player performed well known songs thereby allowing the audience to sign along.

Jugglers

(104 views)
by Bryan Costales

A comedic juggling team performed on the vaudeville stage.

Graffiti

(104 views)
by Bryan Costales

The bottom of the mural resembled a train on six tracks speeding out from the wall. Sadly, it was covered in graffiti.

White Pelicans

(100 views)
by Terry Costales

Taking photos from a boat was a new experience. I was able to get much closer to this flock of Pelicans before they took flight. These appear to be Australian Pelicans because of the pink bills. Or do American White Pelicans have pink bills in the winter? Further research needed.

Sparrow in Pickleweed

(100 views)
by Terry Costales

Pickleweed makes even a little sparrow look good.

White Grass Skirt

(100 views)
by Bryan Costales

A man wearing a white grass skirt carried the Samoan flag for the Samoan Community Development Center.

Hawk with Prey

(100 views)
by Terry Costales

This hawk unaware that it was Thanksgiving morning, none the less, enjoyed the holiday while helping the city lessen its vermin problem.

Feathered Headdress

(98 views)
by Bryan Costales

One of the woman dancing with Muito Quente! Samba Performers wore a feathered headdress.

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

This female Killdeer is standing over eggs in its "nest." Three eggs are actually present but only one is clearly visible. Even the clearly visible one is very well camouflaged. It is reputed their call sounds like "kill deer" and thus the name. I don't hear it myself but maybe that's just me.

Avocet non-breeding plumage

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo was taken late March of this year and many birds were still in just black and white. For courting and breeding the necks and chest acquire a rusty or tan color. They really seem to enjoy their mud-flats.

English Sparrow

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

I don't usually photograph English Sparrows because it is common knowledge what this introduced species looks like. I like this shot not so much for the subject, but for the shot itself. The narrow area of focus lends the bird a softer and more delicate appearance.

Killdeer in Flight

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

Killdeer are a shy and fast bird. Consequently I rarely get a good shot of one. I was lucky this day to get that elusive shot.

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

I had never seen this kind of crow before. As soon as he noticed me he walked over the peak of the roof and out of sight.

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is the Oriole perched on a barbeque grill in the picnic area. He and several blackbirds had just chased a crow that dared to enter their territory. Crows are a threat to them because they will eat the young of these smaller birds. There are several species of birds found at the sanctuary. There are sparrows , blackbirds and crows , and many other perching birds .

Barn Swallow

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

This picture was taken moments after the one I posted yesterday. It's a small bird, about 7 inches long, and was singing its little heart out. I only saw a couple of barn swallows that day, but there were almost a hundred cliff swallows nesting under the eaves of the Interpretive Center. The name barn swallow derives from the fact that their nests are usually found inside barns. The nest is an open cup made of mud mixed with grass.

Great Egret flying

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

To get a shot of a graceful bird flying is always a coup.